The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recognized District Attorney Wiley “Sonny” McAfee on August 22 for his efforts in prosecuting natural and cultural resource violations as well as environmental crimes. The commission named the 33rd and 424th district attorney the 2019 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prosecutor of the Year. McAfee serves Burnet, Llano, Blanco, […]

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STAFF WRITER SUZANNE FREEMAN Concrete pouring for the new boat ramp and dock began August 15 at Inks Lake State Park. Park Superintendent Corey Evans said the goal is to have both ramp and dock opened this fall. The original timeline scheduled the ramp to open in mid- to late summer. “We’ve been delayed a […]

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A leak in a Kingsland Municipal Utility District line has resulted in up to 50,000 gallons of wastewater flowing into Lake LBJ. Someone spotting bubbles around the waterline near the RR 1431 bridge on July 27 and contacted the Lower Colorado River Authority, which relayed the information to KMUD, according to Anita LaBier, the Kingsland […]

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For a nonprofit, $5,000 is a big boost for its programs. And thanks to Pedernales Electric Cooperative, it’s not a pipe dream. The cooperative is accepting applications for community grants of up to $5,000 through 5 p.m. October 1. Nonprofits must prove their tax-exempt status with the proper documentation and be located within PEC’s territory […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON U.S. Rep. Roger Williams shared what might be a different view than his Washington colleagues on both sides of the aisle when it comes to the most pressing issue facing the country. “My biggest concern for America is our debt,” Williams said during a stop at Numinous Coffee Roasters in Marble Falls […]

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FROM STAFF REPORTS More bad news for the Highland Lakes as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Lower Colorado River Authority confirmed that invasive zebra mussels have been found in Lake LBJ. The species was previously discovered in Lake Travis. “It is disheartening to see zebra mussels spreading higher up the chain of […]

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With a $6,050 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority, the city of Granite Shoals can add a customer portal to its smart meter system to help customers more easily monitor their real-time water use. The city matched the grant with a contribution of $6,050. Granite Shoals will add the new portal to its advanced […]

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Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Midland) announced July 31 that he will not seek re-election in 2020. Conaway is in his eighth term representing Texas’ 11th Congressional District, which includes Llano County, in the U.S. House of Representatives. He first took office in 2005 and will have served 15 years in Congress when his current term ends. […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS A vote to extend a Bertram-area bar’s hours was put on hold during the Burnet County Commissioners Court’s regular meeting July 23. It’s unclear how a vote held Tuesday would have gone, but commissioners took no action on the agenda item so they could address its wording. The item specified the […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS Another attempt by a developer to create a tiny home community in Kingsland was once again tabled by the Llano County Commissioners Court. Commissioners said plans for Boxwood Tiny Home Community presented during their regular meeting July 22 lacked information about water runoff and easements. The item is expected to return […]

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During its July meeting, the Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors elected officers. Those serving on the Board of Directors are elected by PEC members to govern the cooperative. Elected officers are members of the board and serve one-year terms. The board re-elected District 6 Director Paul Graf to serve as the body’s president and […]

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The Lower Colorado River Authority is turning to the biggest energy source in the solar system to augment its electricity generation portfolio. The LCRA announced July 11 it has signed a contract to add 141 megawatts of solar power to its lineup. Under the contract, the LCRA will purchase the renewable energy from a solar […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS In developing the upcoming 2019-20 budget, Llano County officials have had to take into account a number of obstacles. First, the county has spent more than $1.2 million in reserve funds since the October 2018 flood and is unsure when, and how much, will be recaptured from the Federal Emergency Management […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS With the recent re-opening of Kingsland Community Park, Llano County commissioners voted narrowly to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the park’s trustee in order to access water for public purposes. For park access to get water from the lake, the Kingsland/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce — the park’s trustee — will receive […]

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City halls across the Highland Lakes are observing the Fourth of July national holiday on Thursday. And while most will reopen on Friday, July 5, for regular business hours, one will not. Granite Shoals city offices will be closed Thursday and Friday. The holiday has a limited impact on local trash services. Below are a […]

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After awarding more than $470,000 in grants, the Lower Colorado River Authority is looking for more projects to support through its Community Development Partnership Program. The LCRA is accepting applications for community development projects through July 31, with grants available up to $50,000. Most of the grants are for $25,000 or less, but every cycle […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS Llano County Precinct 3 Commissioner Mike Sandoval presented preliminary information for submitting a grant that could add nearly $374,000 worth of sidewalks in the unincorporated community of Kingsland. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS Incumbents James Oakley and Jim Powers kept their seats on the Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors during the recent election. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS Two justices of the peace told Burnet County commissioners they are concerned about the lack of full-time security in the county’s south courthouse annex in Marble Falls. Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Jane Marie Hurst and Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Debbie Bindseil addressed the Commissioners Court at its […]

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FROM STAFF REPORTS The Lower Colorado River Authority handed out more than $111,000 in grants through its Community Development Partnership Program to four Highland Lakes emergency service agencies. The Pedernales Electric Cooperative chipped in on two of the donations. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS The Lower Colorado River Authority began moving water downstream from a very full Lake Buchanan early June 5. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS Two construction crew workers were killed June 1 in a job site accident when a metal utility pole fell on them during lifting operations. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS Craft breweries in the state raised a glass in celebration May 22 as the Texas Senate passed a “beer-to-go” amendment to House Bill 1545. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS Budgets and employees generated little action but a great deal of discussion during the Burnet County Commissioners Court’s regular meeting May 29. The most discussion came from the news that Environmental Crimes Deputy Chris Cowan has submitted a letter of resignation to join the Granite Shoals Police Department. (more…)

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Is your mailbox off its hinges or does it have a loose screw? (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS Burnet County commissioners tackled the details on several road projects during their regular meeting May 14. (more…)

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